In the 2010 United States Census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 9,883,640 persons, ranking as the eighth most populous state in the country. By 2017, the state's population was estimated at 9,962,311, and the state had become the 10th most populous state.

The state's largest cities, having populations of at least 75,000 based on 2016 estimates, were as follows:

2017–18 Detroit Red Wings season – In their third season under head coach Jeff Blashill, the Red Wings played for the first time in Little Caesars Arena. The team compiled a 30–39–13 record and finished fifth in the NHL's Atlantic Division. The team's statistical leaders included Anthony Mantha with 24 goals and Dylan Larkin with 47 assists and 63 points. Jimmy Howard was the team's starting goalie in 57 games and had a goals against average of 2.85.[5]

January 9 - Mike Duggan was sworn in for his second term as Mayor of Detroit.

January 11 - Fiat Chrysler announced that it would invest more than $1 billion to modernize its Warren Truck Plant. The company also announced $2,000 bonuses to be paid to 60,000 U.S. employees and credited the federal tax legislation passed in December made the moves possible.[6]

January 20-28 - The North American International Auto Show was held at Cobo Center in Detroit.

January 20 - Candice Diaz and Brad Fields were arraigned for felony murder, child abuse and torture in connection with the January 1 death of Diaz's four-year-old daughter, Gabrielle Barrett of Sumpter Township.[10]

January 23 - Michigan State University confirmed receipt of a letter from the NCAA opening a probe into the conduct of Larry Nassar.

January 23 - Gov. Rick Snyder delivered his eighth and final State of the State address.

February 2- Special agents of the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Attorney General's office arrived without warning at Michigan State's administration building and removed records as part of the Attorney General's investigation into the Nassar scandal. Acting MSU president John Engler called the move a "political stunt".[17][18]

February 5 - Larry Nassar received a further sentence of 40 to 125 years in an Eaton County court.

February 16 - Michigan State extended the contract for football coach Mark Dantonio through 2024.

February 21 - Ford's North America president, Raj Nair, left his position after admitting to "inappropriate behavior"[19] Kumar Galhotra was named as his replacement the following day.

March 2 - Central Michigan University sophomore James Eric Davis Jr. shot and killed his mother and father when they came to campus to take him home for spring break. After the shooting, Davis fled and the campus was placed on lockdown. Around 15 hours later, police arrested him and took him to a local hospital.[20][21][22]

March 2 - Michigan State Senator Bert Johnson of Highland Park resigned his seat and pled guilty to theft for putting a woman on the payroll at a salary of $23,000 in order to repay a loan he had received from her.[23]

March 11 - Education Secretary Betsy DeVos appeared on 60 Minutes and struggled to answer questions about under-performing Michigan schools.[25]

March 13 - FBI crime statistics were released showing Grosse Ile to be the safest city (greater than 10,000 population) in the United States. Of the 25 safest cities in the state, 19 were in Oakland County.[26]

March 27 - A judge in Port Huron ousted the Tea Party's Karen Spranger as Macomb County clerk/register of deeds, ruling that she was not legally elected in November 2016 due to the fact that she had lied about her residency in Macomb County. The Court ordered her to be removed immediately from office.

June 4 - The Michigan Attorney General filed charges against Joseph Hattey, a Michigan State University physicist, for bestiality involving sexual conduct with a dog.

June 4 - The Detroit Tigers selected Casey Mize with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.

June 11 - The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in a federal suit challenging the University of Michigan's free speech code.

June 11 - Ford Motor Company announced its acquisition of Detroit's Michigan Central Station and plans to convert the building into a campus for advanced automotive technology.

June 11 - The Detroit Pistons hired Dwane Casey as their new head coach.

June 14 - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and several state legislators called for John Engler to resign as interim president of Michigan State University. Emails were published the prior day in which Engler accused a survivor of the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal of taking kickbacks from attorneys.

August 7 - During the Democratic primary, state representative Bettie Cook Scott drew fire after calling her opponent, Stephanie Chang, "ching chong" or "ching chang" and accusing one of Chang's campaign volunteers of being an "immigrant," saying "you don't belong here" and "I want you out of my country."[28][29]

August 9 - Rashida Tlaib won the Democratic primary to take over the Congressional seat previously occupied by John Conyers. Unopposed in the general election, whe is expected to become the first Muslim woman and the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress.

August 10 - The Detroit Red Wings signed Dylan Larkin to a five-year, $30.5 million contract.[30]

August 12 - The Detroit Tigers held a ceremony at Comerica Park to retire Jack Morris's jersey No. 47.

August 14 - The University of Michigan Hospital was ranked as the No. 5 hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.[31]

August 15 - The Detroit Free Press reported that Michigan State interim president John Engler censored the cover of the school's alumni magazine featuring imagery used by sexual assault victims. The replacement issue featured a more positive spin on the Nassar scandal and a less controversial cover.[32]

August 24 - Former Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages was charged with lying to police in connection with the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal. Klages was alleged to have lied to Michigan State Police about having been told about Larry Nassar's sexual misconduct. Witnesses came forward stating that Klages had received reports of sexual abuse some 20 years earlier.[33]

August 26 - The Detroit Tigers held a ceremony at Comerica Park to retire Alan Trammell's jersey No. 3.

August 27 - Fiat Chrysler executive Al Iacobelli was sentenced to 5-1/2 years in prison for diverting $4.5 million intended for worker training to himself and UAW officials.[34]

August 31 - The funeral of Aretha Franklin was broadcast on national television and held at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. The ceremony included speeches and musical performances by Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton, and others.[35] A 50-minute eulogy by Jasper Williams Jr., critical of black families, was deemed offensive by Franklin's family.[36]

September 7 - The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the University of Michigan must allow students accused of sexual assault to cross-examine their accusers at a live hearing.[37]

September 12 - The Detroit Free Press reported on a lawsuit alleging that former Michigan State athletic director George Perles forced the school's field hockey coach in 1992 to (a) return a videotape of a sexual assault by Larry Nassar against a field hockey player, (b) resign, and (c) sign a non-disclosure agreement.[38][39]